Manx Fell Runners

Rich George is doing a recce of the Glen Mona course on Saturday morning, details from him are below, all are welcome.

Start at carpark where we meet for N Barrule Fell Race (right hand side on the mountain road towards Ramsey just before gooseneck) at 08.00 on Saturday morning (set off say 10-15 mins later). Will go up N Barrule (race/MMM route), along the ridge to Clagh Ouyr, to stop of snaefell, back to Clagh Ouyr and then go around the Glen Mona race route backwards (skipping the start/end path up from the pub). I could be wrong but I reckon will be about 10 miles (possibly less, though can be extended as per discussions on the day)

Sorry for the early start but is all I can do. If you want to call us on the day mobile is 492 716.

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Report thanks to Steve Partington

Six runners lined up in glorious conditions at Bradda Glen for a training/racing run over the original Bradda course.

Despite a bit of dog-kicking (which nearly became owner-punching) and some sheep-worrying in the early stages, Lloyd and Simon were soon way out in front.

Behind them Steve was on his own, followed by the trio of Jackie, Richard and Guy.

As Simon took off more of his clothes (he started in shorts), Lloyd put the hammer down and drifted away on the climb of Cronk ny Arrey Laa. After the turn on South Barrule, he front two managed healthy negative splits - great running given the sloppy underfoot conditions.

Stopping to admire the view every 30secs climbing Fleshwick, Steve just squeaked a negative split. Rich ran all the way with Jackie (legs were OK but his ears were sore), and just behind, Guy always had them in sight.

Then it was back to Jackie and Lloyd’s for tea, toasties, chocolate and crisps in the garden. Like a kid’s party without any kids. What more could you want from a Saturday afternoon?

A brilliant run over a really tough route. Maybe in the future there may be a case for alternating the Bradda/Arthur Jones course?

Self-timed ‘results’
1. Lloyd Taggart  2hrs 11mins
2. Simon Skillicorn  2hrs 25mins
3. Steve Partington  2hrs 46mins
4= Jackie Lee
Rich George  3hrs 08mins
6. Guy Wilcher   3hrs 18mins

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Weekly Interval Training Session

Margaret Lockley is running weekly middle distance orientated training sessions every Friday in Castletown.  Margaret has long been involved in coaching fell runners and the manx fell team and the session will be excellent for anyone looking to improve their performances on the fells or road. Meet at Castletown swimmimg pool at 5.30pm every Friday.

 Bradda Race/Recce

On Saturday the 6th of Feb there will be a run out over the Bradda fell race course.  The aim of this will be as a recce of the final section of the MMM course but also a long faster paced training session, ideal for anyone looking to do the MMM this year.  Depending on numbers and who arrives groups can be split by pace to run together however some people may be looking to “race” the course as means of a good 15 mile tester.  The Bradda race course starts at Bradda Glen and follows the coastal footpath to Bradda tower and then out to Fleshwick, Carnanes over Cronk ny Airee Laa along the fells to the right of the main road and up to the summit of South Barrule, it then returns by the same route but taking in Cronk Fedjag and the summit of Lhiatttee ny Beinnee on the return, meet at Bradda glen carpark at 11.00am.

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After the very bad predicted forecasts conditions turned out to be excellent for the Greeba race with even a bit of sunshine!  The melting snow however had made the going very wet and muddy and tough underfoot but there was still an excellent field of runners taking on the challenge.

Lloyd Taggart continued his dominance of the manx fells taking the win in an excellent time of 1 hour 11 minutes (just a minute outside the course record!) he was just under 6 minutes clear of Tom Cringle in second with Nigel Armstrong once again running well wrapping up the top 3.

Leading lady was Jackie Lee who also continued her unbeaten form, she finished ahead of Rachel Holden who took the second ladies spot from Bridget Kaneen returning to the fells in third.

Thanks to all the marshals who braved the hill tops in still fairly chilly conditions and to Cronk Dhoo campsite for the use of there facilities.

Full results are now available here

Check out the race photos from Paul Sheard and Sarah Cringle

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Conditions over the course are very difficult at the moment with thawing snow providing a lot of water but with some of the tracks still frozen.  It is predicted that race times will be a lot slower therefore anyone expecting to finish over 1hr 30mins is asked to go on the early start at 1.00pm.

Registration will be open from 12.15pm please try and be there as early as possible in case any additional pre-race changes need to be made.

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